River water quality improves for 18th consecutive year
Posted: Tuesday 14th October 2008
Data released by the Environment Agency shows that the quality of water in rivers in England and Wales continues to improve.
Figures from the Environment Agency's annual General Quality Assessment(GQA) show that 76 per cent of English rivers, and 95 per cent of those in Wales, achieved 'very good' or 'good' status in terms of chemical water quality in 2007, up from 55 and 86 per cent respectively in 1990.
The biological quality of rivers also continued to improve, with 72 per cent of rivers in England and 87 per cent of those in Wales, achieving 'very good' or 'good' status last year, up from 55 and 79 per cent respectively in 1990.
The Environment Agency is working hard to keep improving water quality. For example, in Bassenthwaite Lake in the Lake District, the Environment Agency, along with other organisations, has significantly helped to reduce algal blooms by working with farmers to reduce fertiliser use and has promoted native habitats to help prevent soil erosion.
Improvements in water quality have also been due to the substantial investment made by water companies in addition to work carried out by the Environment Agency and others. Through its involvement in Ofwat's current Periodic Review of water charges, the Environment Agency will seek to ensure that such investment continues so that water quality continues to improve to meet future challenges such as those posed by climate change. The water companies submitted draft business plans for 2010-2015 in August and the Environment Agency will be publishing its response to these in early October.
Under the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD), water quality assessments are being published using a new, tougher methodology for the first time this year. In addition to rivers, the WFD also applies to lakes, estuaries, coastal waters and groundwater, not previously included in GQA results.
The new assessments focus on the ecological health of waters. Up to 37 measures of water quality, such as the health of river insects and plants, are scrutinised and the grading of each water body is set by the measure which scores the lowest result. Under this new, more stringent, system, 19 per cent of water bodies are classed as 'good' or 'high', 49 per cent 'moderate', 21 per cent 'poor' and seven per cent 'bad'. However, over half of water bodies did not meet 'good' status by missing only one indicator. This means that by taking action to improve a single measure, many more waters will achieve 'good' status.
Paul Leinster, the Environment Agency's Acting Chief Executive, said: "Water quality in England and Wales has improved dramatically over the last 20 years. The Water Framework Directive gives us new ways of measuring the health and quality of water and improving our understanding of the water environment as well as the health of associated animals and plants.
"None of the previous major improvements in water quality have been lost. The new classifications enable us to take more targeted action to improve water quality further."
The new classification system forms the basis of the Environment Agency's draft River Basin Management Plans, which will set out plans to further improve the water environment from 2010 to 2015 and beyond. The plans will be published for public consultation through the first half of 2009, and the Environment Agency will be encouraging all interested parties to engage with the plan relevant to their local area.
Detailed case studies:
* Ormesby Broad
From water fleas to farmers, every resident in the area has played their part towards a flourishing Trinity Broads in Norfolk. Linking and tackling together the sources of nutrient pollution on land and the impacts of pollution in the water itself is a good example of what the Water Framework Directive is all about.
For the last 12 years, a partnership between Essex and Suffolk Water, the Broads Authority, the Environment Agency and Natural England has been working to clean up the nutrient enrichment of Ormesby Broad.
The team has successfully improved the ecosystem by removing the roach and bream fish populations, which were feeding on the water fleas needed to keep down the excessive algae.
The water is clearer and rare aquatic plants and insects are now flourishing. And it's not just the wildlife that has benefited. New local facilities such as slipways, bird hides, walkways and fishing platforms have attracted more tourists and benefited local businesses.
* A sparkling future for the jewel of the Lake District
Bassenthwaite Lake is one of the jewels in the crown of the Lake District. But 60 years of pollution from nutrients and sediment has taken the edge off its sparkle. With seven other partners, we formed the Bassenthwaite Lake Restoration Programme (BLRP) to improve water quality by managing the lake and its surrounding land.
Taking a whole-catchment approach is what the Water Framework Directive is all about. Quite simply, much of what goes onto the land goes into the lake. We have been working with farmers to take a smarter approach to fertiliser use, saving them money and reducing the phosphorus which causes algal blooms that can be toxic to humans and animals. And partners such as the Forestry Commission and the National Trust are tackling the sediment issue, using sustainable solutions that promote native habitats and keep the soil where it should be.
Community support is key and Bassenthwaite Reflections encourages local people to understand and cherish their local landscape. Twenty two lake and land awareness projects spanning art, culture, history and environmental restoration offer everyone the chance to get involved. And our efforts are paying off, with algae blooms significantly reduced and a strong groundswell of support committed to look after the lake for the future.
